Thursday, January 10, 2008

Help To Control Type 2 Diabetes

Help To Control Type 2 Diabetes by Bessie Johns

Amaryl
When diet and exercise are no longer enough help to control Type-2 Diabetes, Amaryl is there to help. This is an oral medication classified as a sulfonylureas and has proven very effective in controlling high blood sugar levels for patients with Type-2 Diabetes. While it cannot replace a good diet and proper exercise, it can be very helpful to diabetics who are not insulin dependent.

How Does It Work?
This medication helps to control high blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce more of the bodies natural insulin. When taken in conjunction with other drugs such as the insulin boosting, Glucophage, Amaryl has proven itself to control elevated blood sugar levels in adult patients.

How Do I take Amaryl?
This prescription drug is usually taken in a 1 to 2 milligram dose once daily with breakfast or the first main meal. Your doctor may increase the dosage by 1 or 2 milligrams at a time every one or two weeks until your diabetes is brought under control. Most cases will reach a level of control on 1 to 4 milligrams a day and the daily dosage should never exceed 8 milligrams. If the maximum dose fails to control your high blood sugar levels, your doctor may choose to add Glucophage to your treatment.

Is There Any Risks Of Side Effects?
Though they are not to be anticipated, treatment with this medication does involve a substantial risk of side effects. Some of the most common side effects include:
• anemia and other blood disorders
• blurred vision
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache• itching
• liver problems and jaundice
• muscle weakness• nausea • sensitivity to light
• skin rash and eruptions• stomach and intestinal pain
• vomiting

In addition to these risks, there is the additional risk of Hypoglycemia, which occurs when the body produces too much insulin, leaving one with a low blood sugar. If a patient experiences Hypoglycemia while taking this drug, medical assistance should be consulted immediately as severe Hypoglycemia can be a life threatening situation.

Before taking this medication, you should consult your physician or pharmacist about the known food and drug interactions with this medication. Also avoid substances such as Alcohol which cause a lowered blood sugar as these can lead to Hypoglycemia in patients taking Amaryl.

There are special precautions for patients that are pregnant or breast feeding infants. Since the effects of this medication can be passed on to a nursing child, you should not take it while breastfeeding. Likewise, unborn children can be effected by their mothers blood sugar levels. Your doctor may recommend insulin injections during pregnancy or post partum for nursing mothers.

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